Lock which can be unlocked in an electrically automated manner, in particular for storage systems like lockers

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a lock ( 1 ) which can be released on an electrically automated basis, in particular for use with locker-type storage systems. A lock element ( 9 ) which can be introduced into the lock ( 1 ) is provided, which lock element ( 9 ) can be blocked in the lock ( 1 ) and thus holds a locker door ( 2 ) fixedly connected to the lock element ( 9 ) in the closed position. A lock pawl ( 14 ) which can be displaced in rotation to a limited degree is also provided, which engages with the lock element ( 9 ), either directly or indirectly via at least one displaceably mounted coupling element ( 12 ). The key feature of this is that the portion of a point of force transmission ( 33′ ) for the locking force transmitted to the lock pawl ( 14 ) is designed so that a positively-induced and abutment-induced transmission of forces and pulses from the lock element ( 9 ) or from a coupling element ( 12 ) optionally mounted in between to the lock pawl ( 14 ) is directed almost exclusively radially to its pivot axis ( 31 ) and any tangential force or impulse components which occur can be transmitted almost exclusively due to frictional forces at the point of force transmission ( 33′ ). This results in increased protection again the effects of tampering from outside.

The invention relates to a lock which can be released on an electricallyautomated basis, as specified in the introductory part of claim 1.

Document DE 92 09 053 U1 discloses an electrically releasable orunlockable lock which is primarily used for automated locker systems andsimilar. A rotating latch disposed in the lock housing for the lockcatch fixedly attached to a door panel is biased by means of a spring inorder to effect a rotating movement in the opening or releasingdirection when the latch is released or unlocked. This disc-shaped latchhas a cut-out respectively on two immediately adjacent circumferentialportions, and the first cut-out is designed to engage with the lockcatch and the second cut-out is designed to engage positively in alinearly displaceable bolt provided in the form of an armature of anelectromagnet. When the armature of the electromagnet locates in thelatch, the latch is blocked so that it is not able to rotate in eitherdirection of rotation, as a result of which the door panel is held inits closed position by the lock catch. The armature of the electromagnetis biased by means of another spring so that it is constantly biased inthe direction towards the latch and engages in its second cut-out whenthe latch is positioned so that the armature of the electromagnet isable to move into this cut-out. Also provided on this lock are reedcontacts and magnets or similar switch elements to enable the closedstate of the lock or door to be detected. This known lock is thereforedesigned so that when electromagnetically released by the electromagnet,the locker door simultaneously moves open by at least a gap because thelock catch of the door panel is forced outwards with respect to thelocker interior by the spring-biased latch. This lock is described asbeing tamper-proof. However, with this construction, the forcetransmitted from the latch to the armature of the electromagnet isdirected transversely to the actuating direction of the armature, whichmeans that the electromagnet can be very easily damaged since it is notusually designed to withstand the strong armature transverse forceswhich would generally occur if an attempt were made to tamper with thedoor secured by this lock.

In the case of locks of a similar design known from the prior art,strong mechanical impulses transmitted to the door and then to the lockcan lead to a relative shifting of the armature with respect to thelatch so that the armature slips out of the latch, causing the latch tobe released and the locker door to be opened. This undesired opening ofthe locker door may occur if the lock construction is subjected to astrong impact or a series of smaller impacts. If a lock of this type isfitted in an automatic locker system with a plurality of locker doors, asituation could even arise in which several lockers openedsimultaneously if the machine construction were subjected to intensivepulses in the worst case scenario. This sensitivity to mechanicalimpulses and vibrations could theoretically be eliminated by opting forconstructions that are retained by friction, for example by gear systemsand/or motorised drives with brake devices. However, gears alsorepresent a weak point in terms of breakage when subjected to strongimpacts and have another disadvantage in that they require maintenance.Such constructions also incur higher costs and require more complexactuation systems.

Patent specification EP 0 589 158 B1 describes a remotely controllablelock, which is primarily used for doors of motor vehicles. This lock hasa latch co-operating with a lock bolt, which blocks a lock pawl when inthe locking position. The lock pawl is provided in the form of apivotably mounted lever, which co-operates with the latch on the onehand and is operated by an electromagnetic actuator drive on the otherhand in order to transfer the lock pawl into the inactive position sothat the latch is released and the lock unlocked. This publicationdiscloses a number of features intended to offer a simple design withfew mechanical parts. Some of the described electrical orelectro-mechanical features are used as a means of releasing the lock inemergency situations, especially if the electrical power supply for thelock is cut off. This publication does not describe any featuresdesigned to improve the ability of this lock to withstand manipulation,especially in connection with mechanical impulses and vibrations.

The underlying objective of this invention is to propose a lock whichcan be released on an automated basis for use in automated lockerfacilities, which offers a high degree of robustness and an ability towithstand breakage in spite of being of a simple and compact design, andin particular which offers increased safety in terms of tampering.

This objective is achieved by the invention on the basis of the featuresspecified in the characterising part of claim 1. These ensure that atthe point where force is transmitted between the lock pawl and the lockelement or a coupling element mounted in between, force and impulsecomponents in the tangential direction with respect to the pivot axis ofthe lock pawl are not transmitted elastically and loss-free via apositive connection, for example in the manner of a step, shoulder ortoothing, but are transferred with loss only, due to frictional forces.In conjunction with the inertia of the lock pawl, the intensity of theimpulse transmitted to the lock pawl and hence also the degree of anyresultant turning of the lock pawl due to such an impulse issignificantly reduced. Force and impulses are transmitted friction-freeand hence free of loss exclusively in the radial direction from thepoint where the force is introduced to the axis of rotation, where theyare dispersed via the axis of rotation into the housing but withouttransmitting torque to the lock pawl. It is also expedient to ensurethat no tangential force and impulse components are transmitted to thelock pawl loss-free if the lock pawl does not engage directly in thelock element but in a coupling element mounted in between, for example alatch, although it might seem at first view that no shifting in thetangential direction is actually possible due to the way the couplingelement is mounted relative to the lock pawl. However, a slight mountingclearance which always exists will mean that a slight radial movement ofthe coupling element and latch is always possible and hence a tangentialshift with respect to the lock pawl, which means that forces andimpulses can be transmitted in this direction. Also f advantage is thefact that this lock is of a mechanically simple and compact design withonly a few moving parts, whilst nevertheless being robust. The resultantlock also lends itself to a controlled and in particular electricalreleasing action, which means that locker systems or storage systems ofthe locker type can be made to the simplest possible design. Ofparticular advantage is the fact that in spite of being based on amechanical design that is relatively uncomplicated, the lock proposed bythe invention offers a high degree of safety in terms of beingtamper-proof. In particular, the lock proposed by the invention offersan improvement in terms of its ability to withstand attempts to open it,even if the lock or machine construction is subjected to strong impulsesor vibrations. Above all, if the locker door or locker body and then thelock element is subjected to impacts, this does not lead directly to atransmission of turning impulses or turning forces to the lock pawl. Ina surprisingly effective manner, any transmission of turning impulses ortangential forces from the lock element to the lock pawl is prevented asfar as possible or is weakened to the degree that any unintended orundesired pivoting of the lock pawl can be virtually ruled out. Thedesign of the lock proposed by the invention is extremely resistant totampering if the lock element is biased in its opening direction by thelocker door and mechanical impacts or vibrations are simultaneouslyintroduced into the locker door or locker body. Fraudulent attempts attampering can be more readily deterred and thwarted by the lockconstruction proposed by the invention, even though relatively simpledriving elements are used, which enable inexpensive and structurallysimple automation as well as electrical actuation of the lock based onrelatively low power consumption.

A design defined in claim 2 is also of advantage because it offers evenbetter protection against tampering due to the fact that the lock pawlessential for the locking action is less easy to reach and modify fromoutside, regardless of what tools are used, because the lock pawl isbetter protected against access due to the coupling element mounted inbetween and the fact that it is disposed behind the latch. Furthermore,by using different lever lengths for the latch relative to its pivotaxis, a first increase takes place from the opening force transmitted bythe lock element to the force transmitted to the lock pawl, which meansthat during the unlocking process by an electrical drive element, inparticular an electromagnet, the frictional force which has to beovercome on the contact surface is reduced. The coupling element andlatch may also be biased in the opening direction by means of a spring,thereby offering an easy means of providing an opening force for alocker door which can be released on an automated basis. Anotheressential aspect is that, due to the way the coupling element and latchare mounted, the possible degree by which they can be pivoted outwardscompared with the possible direct outward pivoting movement of the lockelement is limited to the amount of the relatively small mountingclearance of the latch, which means that the point at which force isintroduced into the lock pawl is set accordingly to provide a reliablepre-definable physical release.

The embodiment defined in claim 3 makes for a particularly inexpensivelock design and a high degree of anti-tampering protection can beobtained with few components. The tensile forces acting on the lock pawlcan be absorbed by its rotary bearing without any problem.

The features defined in claim 4 are also of particular advantage becausethey offer a structurally simple but efficient way of preventing theside of the lock pawl from lying against the lock element or couplingelement so that forces running at a tangent to its pivot radius ordisplacement path are transmitted positively and without loss. Inparticular, the lock pawl is particularly reliable in terms of remainingin its locking position when the lock element is biased in the openingdirection of the locker door and the lock construction is simultaneouslybeing subjected to strong impulses or mechanical vibrations, especiallythe lock element mounted on the door side.

Another embodiment defined in claim 5 is of particular advantage becauseit results in a defined locking position for the lock pawl, in which thelock pawl generates an optimum locking action. At the same time, thepositive uncoupling is maintained between the lock element or couplingelement and the lock pawl with regard to directions at a tangent to therotatable lock pawl.

Due to the advantageous features defined in claim 6, the undesirabletransmission of angular accelerations and rotational impulses to thelock pawl can be prevented if the lock as a whole is accelerated. Alsoachieved as a result of this embodiment is the fact that if the lockmechanism is subjected to acceleration due to impact, for example due toimpacts with a heavy hammer or such like, the forces largely act via thepoint of the rotary bearing of the lock pawl and are not transmitted tothe lock pawl via a lateral bearing point of the lock pawl on the lockelement or coupling element. This prevents a rotational impulse frombeing transmitted to the lock pawl in a particularly efficient manner.

The embodiment defined in claim 7 enables the use of drive elementswhich generate only relatively low driving forces, which means thatdrives can be used which are as far as possible mechanically simple,inexpensive and operate with low energy consumption. In addition, due tothe relatively low driving power needed, the amount of heat generatedinside the lock remains very low. Another particular advantage of usingan electromagnet is the compactness of this driving element.

As a result of the features defined in claim 8, a relativelyinexpensive, linearly displaceable drive may be used, which ismechanically simple and can be reliably coupled with the rotatable lockpawl for a long service life. The coupling element is specificallyprovided in the form of the articulating, interconnected coupling rod,which enables the linear movement of the connecting rod magnet to beadapted to the rotatably mounted lock pawl. Another particular advantageof this construction resides in the fact that lateral pressure on thearmature and its slide bearing is as good as totally prevented. Evensmaller variances due to component or fitting tolerances can becompensated without problem as a result. This ensures that the armatureof the electromagnet remains readily displaceable, does not jam and thefull driving and resetting force is transmitted to the lock pawl.

The embodiment defined in claim 9 is of particular advantage. Thecoupling of the electromagnet with the lock pawl is not only articulatedbut also longitudinally adjustable to a limited degree, which enables anacceleration to be transmitted to the armature for a short, definedinitial distance in the first instant of activation of the electromagnetwithout any effective opposing force from the lock pawl. It is not untilthe defined initial path has been travelled that the coupleddisplacement takes effect so that the lock pawl follows the remainingmovement of the armature. Once the coupled displacement is established,it is not just the magnetic pulling force of the armature which isactive but also the mechanical impulse of the already acceleratedarmature, so that this impulse can be used in addition to overcome thestatic friction and to release the lock pawl from its locking position.

Due to the embodiments defined in claim 10, positive obstructions of thelock pawl in the direction of its releasing position by the couplingelement are prevented. As a result, when the coupling element is turnedor in the case of a permanent resilient biasing action of the couplingelement, provided in the form of a latch in particular, no strain orjamming occurs with respect to the pawl. Furthermore, the lock pawl isguaranteed to be transferred into the releasing position in a controlledmanner as intended, even with relatively low driving power or relativelylow driving forces.

As a result of the embodiment defined in claim 11, the lock pawl can bereleased or moved away from the coupling element easily, in particularfrom the latch, when the drive element is activated. An automated,controlled or intended releasing action of the lock can therefore bereliably guaranteed. In particular, this prevents strain and jammingbetween the coupling element and lock pawl, resulting in reliablereleasing of the lock as soon as the drive element for the lock pawl hasbeen activated accordingly.

A particularly advantageous embodiment is obtained on the basis of claim12. In this instance, the locking force is not transmitted from the lockpawl to the coupling element or lock element via a direct contactsurface of the lock pawl but via a rotatably mounted rotary bodyconnected to the lock pawl or coupling element or alternatively to thelock element. As a result of the rotary body, which acts in the mannerof a force-transmitting gear, the tangential component of forces andimpulses which can be transmitted to the lock pawl are quitesignificantly reduced if impulses are transmitted via the abutment or inthe event of relative movements with respect to the abutment. As aresult, this reduces the risk of forced, unauthorised unlocking of thelock and hence unauthorised opening of a locker door due to impacts andvibrations, but above all means that the forces which need to be appliedby the drive element in order to transfer the lock pawl from the lockingposition into the releasing position are also reduced. The drive elementprovided as a means of effecting the release may therefore be designedto be less powerful than otherwise and hence more compact andinexpensive. In particular, if a relatively high tensile or pushingforce is acting on the lock element, for example because a biasing forceis acting on the internal face of the locker door due to the fact thatarticles have been stored incorrectly or carelessly, the lock can beelectrically released in a controlled manner by relatively low-powerdrives.

The features defined in claim 13 ensure that the force positivelytransmitted to the lock pawl via the force-transmitting point isoriented in the direction towards the pivot axis of the lock pawl, as aresult of which no torque is generated about the pivot axis.

The embodiment defined in claim 14 ensures that the drive element, inparticular the electromagnet and the slide bearing for its armature,does not apply blocking forces and is uncoupled in this respect.Instead, the requisite locking or blocking forces are absorbed andprovided solely by the rotary bearing for the lock pawl and are so in adefined and mechanically reliable manner.

An embodiment defined in claim 15 is of particular advantage. Itprovides a simple and effective way of ensuring that if an impulse istransmitted to the housing of the lock and then via the pivot axis tothe lock pawl, the lock pawl provided in the form of a lever does notturn because the force is transmitted at its centre of gravity. Thisprevents torques from being generated on one side of the lever if itsaxis of rotation is accelerated in the direction perpendicular to thelock pawl longitudinal axis or in the direction perpendicular to thelever longitudinal axis.

The lock pawl, which remains neutral and unaffected by the effects ofexternal vibrations as far as possible, can be further improved as aresult of the features defined in claim 16. In particular, the lock pawlremains as far as possible in its locking position and is subjected tothe slightest torque possible if the lock is subjected to forcefulimpacts or strong deflections.

As a result of the features defined in claim 17, the lock pawl is biasedvia the spring means so that it automatically locates round the lockelement or latches in the coupling element as soon as the lock elementhas moved sufficiently far into the lock housing as the door is beingclosed or as soon as the coupling element has been moved into thepredefined closed position by the lock element. In particular, thisobviates the need for electrical actuation of the lock in order to locka locker door once it has closed. Another advantage of this is that thereturn spring for the armature of the electromagnet is also used as ameans of automatically locking the lock once the locker door has beenpulled to, thereby keeping the number of components needed for the lockto a minimum and keeping electrical actuation of the lock as simple aspossible.

As a result of the features defined in claim 18, a robust lock mechanismis obtained given the size of the lock pawl because the lock pawl is notsubjected to strain due to bending. The rotary bearing is alsoparticularly suitable for absorbing high mechanical forces. Moreover, arotary bearing continues to function very reliably, even after numerousmotion cycles of the lock pawl.

Due to the features defined in claim 19, rotary impulses transmitted bythe restrictor stop to the lock pawl are minimised and kept negligiblylow. Especially if the restrictor stop is disposed close to one of theend portions of the rotatably mounted lock pawl, a relative displacementof the lock pawl relative to the restrictor stop is kept as small aspossible when vibrations are acting on the lock housing.

The transmission of impulses between the restrictor stop and the lockpawl is also reliably prevented by the features defined in claim 20.

The features defined in claim 21 prevent any impulse-type tangential orrotational forces from being transmitted from the lock element orcoupling element to the lock pawl. In particular, on assuming itslocking position, the rotatable lock pawl is not supported on the lockelement or on the coupling element in the direction at a tangent to itspivot axis. Instead, the lock pawl is supported in a load-transmittingarrangement inside the lock by means of the separately designed,independent restrictor stop. This restrictor stop can be positioned witha high degree of precision and good reproducibility so that only forcesextending radially with respect to its pivot axis act on the lock pawlwhen the locker door and hence the lock element is pushed in the openingdirection. The restrictor stop offers another advantage over the lockpawl in that the lock pawl assumes the optimum locking position in whichthe best security is obtained in terms of locking and preventingtampering, even when the lock has undergone a number of operatingcycles. In particular, a design of this type is susceptible to littlewear or abrasion, even in the long term.

As a result of the embodiment defined in claim 22, the restrictor stopis moved relatively far away from the lock element or coupling element,i.e. from the source of potential vibrations caused by mechanicalimpacts, as a result of which the vibrations or relative movementsacting on the restrictor stop and subsequently on the lock pawl can bekept as low as possible.

The features defined in claim 23 provide an effective way of keeping atransmission of impulses or forces between the restrictor stop and thelock pawl to a particularly low level.

The advantage of the embodiment defined in claim 24 is that it obviatesthe need for providing or fitting the restrictor element on the lockhousing separately, thereby simplifying the design and further reducingthe cost of manufacturing the lock housing.

As a result of the features defined in claim 25, attempts to manipulatethe lock or a locker as well as malfunctions can be easily detected. Inparticular, a system is provided which reliably detects whether thelocking or closing bolt has been moved sufficiently far into the lockhousing and whether the lock pawl has assumed its locking position. Itis therefore possible to detect, on an automated basis, any locker doorswhich have not been fully closed or correctly locked, and appropriatesteps can be initiated by the control system or the user can be alertedto the fact.

As a result of the features defined in claim 26, positive use can bemade of a lever transmission ratio of the latch if the lever length ofthe latch between the engagement for the lock element and the axis ofrotation of the latch relative to the lever length between the axis ofrotation and the contact point with the lock pawl is selected so thatthe contact force between the latch and the lock pawl is reduced, as aresult of which the force needed by the electromagnet to overcome thestatic friction on the support surfaces between the latch and the lockpawl is reduced. This means that an electromagnet which generatesrelatively low positioning forces will be sufficient for the intendedpurpose. Such drive elements are inexpensive, lend themselves to acompact design, require low energy consumption and generate aparticularly low amount of heat.

As a result of the embodiments defined in claim 27, the relativeposition between the locker door and the lock housing is limited in areliable and stable manner. In particular, the lock element on thelocker door is prevented from being moved inadmissibly far into thehousing if the locker door is being subjected to untypically strongforces due to tampering or vandalism.

Finally, the feature defined in claim 28 is of advantage because itprevents the lock element from being disengaged from the lock pawl orcoupling element in the event of vandalism or attempts to force closedlocker doors open. Unauthorised opening of a locker is therefore evenmore reliably prevented.

As a result of the features defined in claim 29, the lock pawl ismounted so that it moves easily and can be reliably turned out of orinto the locking position by the drive element or by the spring means.This is particularly important, given that the lock proposed by theinvention must function reliably without maintenance for a long periodand within a broad temperature range. The use of viscous lubricants toreduce friction on the bearings is not desirable for reasons pertainingto dirt, maintenance and the broad temperature range to which the lockis exposed during application. Another advantage of using a bearing bushmade from plastic is that the lock pawl is electrically isolated fromits bearing bolt, thereby ensuring that no electrocorrosion can occur atthe bearing point in the long term, even in a damp environment, whichcould otherwise lead to an increase in friction in the bearing or evenseizure of the bearing.

The easy movement of the lock pawl is also improved as a result of thefeature defined in claim 30. Due to the fact that the transition betweenthe lock pawl and the latch or lock element at the point where force isintroduced is not electrically conductive, no electro-corrosion canoccur at the contact point and any increase in bearing friction isprevented. If the non-conductive material is selected accordingly, aparticularly low coefficient of friction can be obtained which islargely unaffected by ambient conditions. This further improves thereliability of the lock.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference toexamples of embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings.

Of these:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of a firstembodiment of a lock which can be released on an electrically automatedbasis and offers a greater degree of protection against manipulation;

FIG. 2 illustrates another variant of the lock which can be released onan automated basis without a coupling element between the lock elementand lock pawl;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of another variantof the lock with increased protection against manipulation.

Firstly, it should be pointed out that the same parts described in thedifferent embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers and thesame component names and the disclosures made throughout the descriptioncan be transposed in terms of meaning to same parts bearing the samereference numbers or same component names. Furthermore, the positionschosen for the purposes of the description, such as top, bottom, side,etc., relate to the drawing specifically being described and can betransposed in terms of meaning to a new position when another positionis being described. Individual features or combinations of features fromthe different embodiments illustrated and described may be construed asindependent inventive solutions or solutions proposed by the inventionin their own right.

FIGS. 1 and 2 each show perspective views of a lock 1 proposed by theinvention with the front part or cover part removed. This lock 1 isprimarily used for automated storage lockers, in particular for lockersystems or so-called parcel depots, designed for use by people ingeneral or for specifically registered users. In particular, aschematically indicated locker door 2 for a locker compartment within alocker arrangement of the automated storage system can be released bymeans of this lock 1 at least on an automated basis. To this end, thelock 1 proposed by the invention is connected to an electrical controlsystem, which is able to effect an automated or remotely controlledrelease of the lock 1 if access to the relevant locker previously closedby the locker door 2 has been authorised.

The lock 1 has a rectangular-shaped lock housing 3 that is as strong aspossible, and the mechanical and electrical components of the lock 1 areaccommodated in the interior of the solid and robust lock housing 3. Alongitudinal extension of the lock housing 3 extends parallel with thedepth direction—arrow 4—of a locker, access to which is controlled bythe lock 1 in conjunction with the locker door 2. The lock housing 3comprises a plate-type base part 5 and a cover-type front or top part,although this is not illustrated, between which the interior foraccommodating the electromechanical lock components is defined. The basepart 5 preferably has an angled portion 6, which constitutes a side wallplate 7 of the lock housing 3. An orifice 8 is provided in this sidewall plate 7, which permits access for a lock element 9 or aco-operating bolt in order to the lock housing 3. This lock element 9,which might be hook-shaped, bow-shaped or incorporate an eye forexample, or may alternatively be provided in the form of a bolt withundercuts or wider areas in its cross-section, is preferably connectedas rigidly as possible and so that it is susceptible to as little wearas possible, via a mounting plate 10 to a co-operating locker door 2,and in particular is screwed to it. In a preferred embodiment, when thelocker door 2 is in the closed and locked state, this mounting plate 10for the bolt or lock element 9 is supported in a load-transmittingarrangement on the lock housing 3, in particular its side wall plate 7,with at least one spacing and screw fixing means 11 for the mountingplate 10 on the locker door 2 connected in between. These spacing andscrew fixing means 11 are preferably based on a block-type design andmay be provided in the form of a cylindrical body, for example, whichaffords a mutual support between the locker door 2 or between themounting plate 10 for the lock element 9 and the lock housing 3. Amongstother things, this prevents the lock element 9 from being able to movetoo far into the lock housing 3 in the event of impact or pressure onthe locker door 2, as a result of which damage to the lock mechanism orlock electronics can be easily prevented.

The described lock mechanism is particularly simple yet at the same timewell protected against tampering. In the case of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, a coupling element 12 is mounted in the lockhousing 3, preferably in the form of a so-called latch 13, forestablishing and releasing a mechanical coupling between the bolt orlock element 9 and a lock pawl 14. This coupling element 12 forpositively retaining the lock element 9 or a co-operating retaining orlocking bolt is blocked by the pivotably mounted lock pawl 14 to preventany movement into its releasing position—not illustrated—on assuming itslocked position for the locker door 2—as schematically indicated inFIG. 1. When the coupling element 12 is in the releasing position, thelock element 9 and the coupling element 12 are disengaged so that thelock element 9 is released from the lock housing 3 and the locker door 2can be opened.

The coupling element 12, preferably provided in the form of a latch 13,is mounted so that it can pivot about an axis 15 extending transverselyto the direction in which the lock element 9 is introduced into the lockhousing 3. The pivoting movement of the latch 13 about the axis 15 isregulated by the lock pawl 14, in particular released or blocked. Whenthe lock is in the locked position illustrated in FIG. 1, the lock pawl14 blocks any rotating movement of the latch 13 in the opening andreleasing direction and the latch 13 therefore holds the lock element 9engaging in it firmly inside the lock housing 3. On assuming thereleasing position due to the lock pawl 14, the latch 13 pivots or canbe pivoted in the opening direction so that the lock element 9 can beextracted from the lock housing 3 as needed in order to open the lockerdoor 2.

The latch 13 is preferably biased in the opening direction by a springmeans, not illustrated, in a manner known per se so that the latch 13 ispushed into the releasing or opening position when the lock pawl 14 isin the inactive position, as a result of which the locker door 2 springsopen by at least a gap due to the lock element 9 positively engaging init.

The lock pawl 14 is coupled with a drive element 16 in displacement,preferably with an electromagnet 17 in the form of a connecting rodmagnet. In particular, the position of the lock pawl 14 can betransferred in a controlled manner by the drive element 16 on anautomated basis into a releasing or inactive position in which the latch13 is able to turn in the direction of its releasing position. The driveelement 16 or coupled displacement between the drive element 16 and lockpawl 14 is such that when the drive element 16 is without power orreceiving no current, the lock pawl 14 is in its locking positionillustrated in FIG. 1 or the lock pawl 14 is pushed into its lockingposition. A spring means 18 is preferably provided, which constantly orcontinuously pushes the lock pawl 14 into its locking position orblocking position. This spring means 18 may co-operate directly with thelock pawl 14. By preference, however, the spring means 18 co-operateswith the drive element 16 in order to transfer the lock pawl 14 into thelocking position automatically. In particular, the spring means 18,which is preferably a helical spring 20, co-operates with the linearlydisplaceable armature 19 of the electromagnet 17, provided in the formof a connecting rod magnet. The lock pawl 14 is constantly pushed intothe locking position, being spring-biased by the spring means 18, whichpreferably surrounds the armature 19 of the electromagnet 17 andsimultaneously constitutes the return spring for the armature 19 of theelectromagnet 17.

The lock pawl 14 is preferably a two-arm lever 21, the first lever arm22 of which serves as the lock pawl 14 and co-operates with the couplingelement 12. The second lever arm 23 of the lever 21, which is preferablyof a straight design, i.e. not curved, is coupled in displacement withthe drive element 16, which can preferably be electrically activated. Inparticular, the linearly displaceable armature 19 of the electromagnet17 is connected via a first articulated link 24 to a first end portionof a coupling rod 25 so that it can not be pulled. Another end portionof this coupling rod 25 spaced at a distance apart from the first endportion is connected via another articulated link 26 to the lock pawl14, in particular its second lever arm 23. In particular, a coupleddisplacement is established between the linearly displaceable armature19 of the electromagnet 17 and the rotatably mounted lock pawl 14 via acoupling element in the form of a coupling rod 25 with articulatedjoints at its end portions.

As clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, the end face 27 of the lock pawl 14facing the coupling element 12, in particular the latch 13, sits inabutment with the coupling element 12 when the lock 1 is in the lockedstate illustrated. In particular, a support surface 28 is provided onthe terminal end 27 of the lock pawl 14, which is a straight, rotatablymounted bar, which sits in abutment with an abutment surface 29 of thecoupling element 12 when the lock pawl 14 is in its illustrated lockingposition. The abutment surface 29 on the coupling element 12 is orientedat a right angle or almost at a right angle to the longitudinal axis 30of the lock pawl 14 when the lock pawl 14 assumes the locking position.However, the terminal end 27 of the lock pawl 14 facing the couplingelement 12 may also have a partially cylindrical, in particular slightlycambered, support surface 28. This partially cylindrical support surface28 thus forms linear support zones extending in the axial direction ofthe cylinder part-surface with respect to the abutment surface 29 on thecoupling element 12 when the lock pawl 14 is in its locking position. Acentre or rotation point of the partially cylindrical or camberedsupport surface 28 on the terminal end 27 thus extends at least more orless through the pivot axis 31 of a rotary bearing 32 for the lock pawl14 or the centre or rotation point of the support surface 28 lies on thepivot axis 31 of the lock pawl 14. In order to reduce the coefficient offriction when the lock pawl 14 is pivoted and in order to prevent theoccurrence of electro-corrosion at the point where force is transmitted,the support surface 28 may be coated with an electrically non-conductivecoating or an electrically non-conductive insert or cover may beprovided so that there is no direct electrical contact between the lockpawl 14 and the coupling element 12 and only a mechanical forcetransmission is possible. The non-conductive coating is preferably madefrom an electrically non-conductive plastic, which also reduces thecoefficient of friction between the support surface 28 and the abutmentsurface 29, thereby reducing the force of the drive element 16 neededfor the releasing action.

The blocking or locking force applied by the lock pawl 14 to thecoupling element 12 preferably extends transversely and in a direct linethrough the pivot axis 31 of the rotary bearing 32 for the lock pawl 14,as may clearly be seen in the diagram of FIG. 1. In particular, thefirst lever arm 22 of the lock pawl 14, which extends in as straight aline as possible, is sheared along its longitudinal axis 30 by thecoupling element 12 when an attempt is made to push the coupling element12 into the opening position to enable the locker door 2 to be openedwhen the lock pawl 14 is activated or in the blocking state. Thisshearing force applied to the lock pawl 14 by the coupling element 12 istherefore directed directly through the centre of the rotary bearing 32so that the lock pawl 14 is as far as possible not subjected to stressdue to bending or is so to only the smallest possible degree, andinstead is primarily subjected to shearing stress. The resultant forcescan therefore be reliably absorbed by the rotary bearing 32, inparticular by the pivot axis 31 for the rotatably mounted lock pawl 14,with relatively few problems.

In order to ensure that the lock 1 is protected as far as possibleagainst tampering, it is essential that the portion of a point of forcetransmission 33′ for the locking force transmitted to the lock pawl 14is designed so that no tangential forces or tangential impulsecomponents by reference to the pivot axis 31 of the lock pawl 14 aretransferred from the lock element 9 or from the coupling element 12, ifone is mounted in between as is the case with the embodiment illustratedas an example in FIG. 1, to the lock pawl 14 when it is in the lockingposition. As a result of the design proposed by the invention, forces orimpulses are transmitted to the lock pawl 14 positively or due to anabutment as far as possible only in the direction extending radiallywith respect to its pivot axis 31.

To this end, it is of practical advantage if the locking or translatingforces applied by the coupling element 12 to the lock pawl 14 act as faras possible at a right angle to the support surface 28 of the lock pawl14 and the lock pawl 14 disperses these forces exactly in the radialdirection towards the pivot axis 31 of the rotary bearing. Inparticular, this ensures that no actuation forces from the lock element9 or from the coupling element 12 mounted in between oriented at atangent to the pivot path of the lock pawl 14 can act on the lock pawl14.

It is also of practical advantage if the lock pawl 14, in particular itsterminal end 27, is not limited or blocked in its ability to move by thecoupling element 12 directly—FIG. 1—or by the lock element 9—FIG. 2. Inparticular, when the coupling element 12 assumes the lockingposition—illustrated in FIG. 1—a physical or structural clearance 33 isleft free between the lock pawl 14 and the coupling element 12. Thisclearance 33 is such that a passive pivoting movement of the lock pawl14 or also an active pivoting movement of the lock pawl 14 in bothpivoting directions is not prevented by the coupling element12—illustrated in FIG. 1—or by the lock element 9—FIG. 2—i.e. both inthe direction of its releasing position and in the direction of itslocking position. This means that the lock pawl 14, in particular itsterminal end 27 or terminal portion, does not lie on the latch 13 orcoupling element 12. In particular, in the case of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, there is no load-transmitting support between thelock pawl 14 and the latch 13 in the radial direction with respect tothe axis 15 of the latch 13. A load-transmitting support between thelatch 13 and the terminal end 27 of the lock pawl 14 exists exclusivelyin the direction of rotation or pivoting movement of the latch 13 byreference to its axis 15—and namely with respect to a torque of thelatch 13 in its releasing or opening direction blocked by the lock pawl14.

Instead, a restrictor stop 34 is provided separately from orindependently of the coupling element 12—FIG. 1—or lock element 9—FIG.2—in the form of a separate part, in order to restrict the ability ofthe lock pawl 14 to pivot relative to the coupling element 12—FIG. 1—orrelative to the lock element—FIG. 2. When the lock pawl 14 assumes thelocking position—as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2—the lock pawl 14 lieson this restrictor stop 34 so that it transfers load or is supported.This prevents the lock pawl 14 from being inadvertently or undesirablymoved into its unlocking or releasing position due to impulses or forcebeing transmitted to the coupling element 12 or latch 13, which impulsesmight be transmitted via the lock housing 3 and/or the bolt or lockelement 9. In particular, these features ensure that no adverse ordetrimental impulses are transmitted from the latch 13 to the lock pawl14 because the lock pawl 14 does not lie in a load-transmittingarrangement or supported on the latch 13 in the radial direction towardsthe latch 13 due to the clearance 33. Any torque which might betransmitted to the lock pawl 14 and would cause the lock pawl 14 to tendtowards its releasing position if subjected to external forces orimpulses are eliminated or avoided as a result. This being the case,vibrations or impulses generated under circumstances of malicious intentwill not lead to undesired opening of a locked locker door 2.

The same applies to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. Here too, ifmechanical impulses or vibrations are transmitted to the lock element 9,the lock pawl 14 disposed in its locking position is prevented frombeing transferred to its upwardly pivoted releasing position because thepoint of force transmission 33′ between the lock element 9 and the lockpawl 14 is designed so that the forces emitted by the lock element 9 inconjunction with the lock pawl 14 are dispersed in exactly the radialdirection towards the pivot axis 31 and, as far as possible, notangential or pivoting forces can be transmitted to the lock pawl 14.

In order to improve the mechanical uncoupling or uncoupling offorce-induced impulses between the coupling element 12, in particularthe latch 13, and the lock pawl 14, the restrictor stop 34 defining theblocking or locking position of the lock pawl 14 may also be of anelastically flexible or cushioning design, in particular impart damping.The same applies to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

It is of advantage if the lock pawl 14 sits at least approximately trimrelative to the pivot axis 31 or about the pivot axis 31 as regardsweight or forces with respect to its two lever arms 22, 23. Inparticular, this means that the lock pawl 14 is held in an approximatelyhorizontal position if no additional forces are acting on one side of itfrom outside. The lock pawl 14 may also sit trim with respect to itspivot axis 31 so that the weight of the first lever arm 22 at leastapproximately corresponds to the weight of the second lever arm 23,including the weight of the armature 19 of the electromagnet 17 attachedto it. In the case of the second lever arm 23, allowance may alsooptionally be made for the weight of the coupling element, in particularthe coupling rod 25, between the armature 19 of the electromagnet 17 andthe second lever arm 23.

With a view to ensuring that the lock 1 is tamper-proof to a highdegree, it is also of practical advantage if the restrictor stop 34 forpredefining or defining the locking position of the lock pawl 14 ispositioned in such a way that it is disposed closer, relativelyspeaking, to a terminal end 27 or 45 of the lock pawl 14 remote from thepivot axis 31 than to the pivot axis 31 of the lock pawl 14. It isexpedient to position the restrictor stop 34 so that it is spaced apartfrom the pivot axis 31 by a distance of more than 30% of the length ofthe first or second lever arm 22, 23. Improved and highly reliableoperation can also be achieved if the restrictor stop 34 co-operateswith the second lever arm 23 of the lock pawl 1 facing away from thecoupling element 12, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 1 and by therestrictor stop 34 indicated by solid lines in FIG. 2.

By preference, the lock 1 also has a first detection means 35 fordetecting whether the lock element 9 or bolt has moved into the lockhousing 3. It is also preferable to provide a second detection means 36for detecting the respective position of the drive element 16, inparticular for detecting the position of the armature 19 of theelectromagnet 17. This being the case, this second detection means 36 ispositioned on the side of the electromagnet 17 lying opposite thearmature 19, in particular on the side of the electric coil of theelectromagnet 17 lying opposite the armature 19. This second detectionmeans 36 is provided as a means of detecting the active position of thedrive element 16, in particular for detecting whether the armature 19was attracted by the electromagnet 17 or not. Accordingly, an extensionof the armature 19 extends through the coil arrangement and thusoperates the second detection means 36.

The two detection means 35, 36 are preferably provided in the form ofelectric switch elements, in particular normally open and/or normallyclosed contacts. The respective detection signals or switching states ofthe two detection means 35, 36 can be transmitted via an electrical plugconnection 37 on the lock housing 3 to a control and evaluation system,although this is not illustrated. Accordingly, a three-wire connectionis run to the electronic control system in order to forward therespective switching states of the two detection means 35, 36, providedin the form of switches.

The first detection means 35, which detects whether the lock element 9has been moved into the lock housing 3 so that it can be blocked orlocked by the coupling element 12, can be activated or operated via amotion-transmitting element 38, in particular by means of a linearlydisplaceable, resiliently biased ram element 39. This ram element 39extends between an insertion and retaining portion for the lock element9 and an operating element 40 of the detection means 35, in particularin the displacement path of a switch lug of the first detection means35. The linearly displaceable ram element 39 is oriented at an acuteangle with respect to the operating element 40 and the ram element 39and detection means 35 are positioned relative to one another so thatthe end of the ram element 39 is moved past the detection means 35 andthe detection means 35 does not act as an end stop for the ram element39 if the ram element 39 is pushed unexpectedly far into the lockhousing 3 due to attempted manipulation.

As explained above, the coupling element 12 is preferably provided inthe form of a latch 13, which is mounted so that it can pivot inside thelock housing 3 to a limited degree. Accordingly, in a firstcircumferential portion 41, the latch 13 has an indentation or cut-out42 designed to positively engage with the lock element 9 or bolt. Inanother circumferential portion 43 of the latch 13, preferably lyingdiametrically opposite, a retaining lug 44 or indentation is providedfor the abutment surface 29 constituting the lock pawl 14, whichco-operates with the lock pawl 14.

Particularly effective protection against tampering is achieved if therestrictor stop 34 is designed as a damping element 46 for dampingforces transmitted between the lock housing 3, in particular itsplate-type base part 5, and the lock pawl 14. The restrictor stop 34 ismounted on or attached to the lock housing 3, in particular its basepart 5. The damping element 46 may be provided in the form of aso-called spring pin or clamping pin or by an elastomeric body.

FIG. 2 illustrates a variant of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.The description given above therefore applies literally to parts denotedby the same reference numbers. In this instance, the lock pawl 14 has ahook-shaped terminal end 27 or a hook end 47, by means of which the lockpawl 14 locates round the lock element 9, which is preferably ahook-shaped lock element 9 or incorporates an eye, on assuming thelocking position—illustrated in FIG. 2. In particular, a direct couplingis established between the lock element 9 and the lock pawl 14, whereasin the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a coupling element12 which can pivot to a limited degree is used. Otherwise, theexplanations given above apply literally to FIG. 2.

What is achieved by the embodiments proposed by the invention is thatthe portion of the point of force transmission 33′ for the locking forcetransmitted to the lock pawl 14 is designed so that forces and impulsesinduced by a positive fit and abutment transmitted from the lock element9, or from a coupling element 12 which may optionally be mounted inbetween, to the lock pawl 14 are directed exclusively radially to itspivot axis 31 and any tangential force and impulse components whichoccur can be transmitted almost exclusively by frictional forces at thepoint of force transmission 33′.

In particular, the portion of the point of force transmission 33′ forthe locking force transmitted to the lock pawl 14 is designed so that asfar as possible, no tangential forces or tangential impulse componentsby reference to the pivot axis 31 of the lock pawl 14 are transmittedfrom the lock element 9 or from a coupling element 12 which may beoptionally mounted in between to the lock pawl 14 when it is in thelocking position, but abutment-induced forces and impulses aretransmitted to the lock pawl 14 in only the radial direction withrespect to its pivot axis 31 as far as possible.

The rotary bearing 32 of the lock pawl 14 is provided in the form of thebearing bolt 53 fixedly connected to the base part 5 and a bearing bush52 introduced into a bore of the lock pawl 14. The bearing bush 52 ispreferably made from plastic to obtain a bearing which moves easily witha reliably low coefficient of friction, and this ease of movement ispreserved for a long service life within broad temperature and loadranges. In particular, the electrically non-conductive bearing bush 52also reliably prevents electro-corrosion at the bearing surface.

In another advantageous embodiment, a block-type or strip-type support48 is provided along the insertion path of the lock element 9 providedin the form of a lock hook, on the side of the lock element 9 facingaway from the lock pawl 14. By means of this support 48, which may serveas a guide mechanism for the lock element 9, the lock element 9 isbetter stopped or prevented from missing the lock pawl 14, especiallywhen acted on by stronger forces due to manipulation with maliciousintent or vandalism.

By preference, one of the articulated links 24 and 26 of the couplingrod 25 is designed so that the length can be varied in a defined mannerto a limited degree due to the fact that the coupling rod has a slot 54in which the shaft of the articulated link 26 is guided so that it canboth rotate and move in translation to a limited degree. When theelectromagnet 17 is activated, this permits acceleration and movement ofthe armature 19 only, but still without any movement and opposing forcefrom the lock pawl 14. As soon as the armature 19 has travelled theminimum distance fixed by the slot 54, the lock pawl 14 follows theremaining movement of the armature 19. At the first instant of thecoupled displacement, it is not just the attraction force of theelectromagnet 17 to the lock pawl 14 which is effective but also anadditional mechanical impulse due to the already accelerated mass of thearmature 19. This means that the static friction between the supportsurface 28 and the abutment surface 29 at the point of forcetransmission 33′ can be more reliably overcome. Due to a series ofseveral electrical activation pulses for the electromagnet 17 and hencea series of mechanical impulses to the lock pawl 14, a lock which isseated stationary up to a certain degree can be hammered free. Theoperating reliability can be quite significantly increased as a result,especially if such hammering free is detected by the machine controlsystem as being the onset of a defect and reported to a servicing pointso that the requisite repair work can be organised even before an actualfault occurs in the form of a locker door that can not be automaticallyreleased.

The additional technical explanations given in connection with FIG. 2also apply in the same way to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a different embodiment by means of which an adversetransmission of tangential forces via the point of force transmission33′ and beyond or by means of which the transmission of forces orrotational impulses acting at a tangent to the rotary bearing 32 or tothe arcuate pivot path of the lock pawl 14 can be suppressed as far aspossible.

This being the case, the end of the lock pawl 14 facing the lock element9 or an all-purpose coupling element 12—FIG. 1—has a rotary body 49, inparticular a rotatably mounted coupling roller 50, which is designed ordisposed so that no forces or rotational impulses are transmitted to thelock pawl 14 from the lock element 9, or from a coupling element whichmay be optionally provided, in the direction extending at a tangent tothe rotary bearing 32 as far as possible.

An axis of rotation 51 of this rotary body 49, mounted so that it canrotate freely, extends parallel with the pivot axis 31 of the lock pawl14. This rotary body 49, which preferably rotates freely but mayoptionally be mounted so that it can rotate to a limited degree,minimises the forces or impulses which can be transmitted between thelock element 9 or a coupling element 12—FIG. 1—in the directionextending at a tangent to the pivot path of the lock pawl 14.

This rotary body 49 is preferably mounted on the hook end 47 or on theterminal end 27 of the lock pawl 14. Alternatively, it would naturallyalso be possible for the rotary body 49 to be mounted on the lockelement 9, in particular to be mounted on a hook-shaped end of the lockelement 9. It would likewise be possible for the rotary body 49 itselfto constitute the hook end 47 of the lock element 9 or lock pawl 14.Another option is for the rotary body 49 to be mounted on a couplingelement 12 which may be provided as an option—FIG. 1. In this respect,the rotary body 49 is preferably disposed in the second circumferentialportion 43 co-operating with the lock pawl 14—see FIG. 1—in which caseits external or rolling surface forms the abutment surface 29 for thelock pawl 14. Alternatively or in combination with this, it would alsobe conceivable for the rotary body 49 to be disposed in the firstcircumferential portion 41 co-operating with the lock element 9, inorder to prevent or suppress impulses or forces from the lock element 9acting radially with respect to the axis 15 of the coupling element 13.

Above all, it is essential that the rolling or external surface of thepreferably cylindrical or wheel-shaped coupling roller 50 forms amutually rolling support and abutment surface 28, 29 between the lockelement 9 and/or a coupling element 12 which might be optionallyprovided and/or the lock pawl 14, and the rolling or external surface ofthe coupling roller 50 as far as possible prevents a quasi externaltorque or impulse, acting either directly or indirectly, from beingtransmitted to the lock pawl 14. However, the coupling roller 50 isdesigned so that it does transmit the locking or blocking force betweenthe point of force transmission 33′ and lock pawl 14, in particularbetween lock element 9 and lock pawl 14 directly or via a couplingelement 12 mounted in between—FIG. 1. The coupling roller 50 maytherefore also be described as a contact or force-transmitting wheel,which is of a sufficiently pressure-resistant design to transmit therespective locking or blocking forces needed between the lock pawl 14and the lock element 9 without plastic deformation and without the riskof breaking.

FIGS. 1; 2; 3 illustrate various embodiments of a lock 1 proposed by theinvention and it should be pointed out at this stage that the inventionis not restricted to these embodiments.

Finally, for the sake of good order, it should be pointed out that inorder to provide a clearer understanding of the structure of the lock 1,it and its constituent parts are illustrated to a certain extent out ofscale and/or on an enlarged scale and/or on a reduced scale.

List of reference numbers  1 Lock  2 Locker door  3 Lock housing  4Depth direction  5 Base part  6 Angled portion  7 Side wall plate  8Orifice  9 Lock element 10 Mounting plate 11 Spacing and screw fixingmeans 12 Coupling element 13 Latch 14 Lock pawl 15 Axis 16 Drive element17 Electromagnet 18 Spring means 19 Armature 20 Helical spring 21 Lever22 Lever arm 23 Lever arm 24 Articulated link 25 Coupling rod 26Articulated link 27 Terminal end 28 Support surface 29 Abutment surface30 Longitudinal axis 31 Pivot axis 32 Rotary bearing 33 Clearance 33′Point of force transmission 34 Restrictor stop 35 Detection means 36Detection means 37 Plug connection 38 Motion-transmitting element 39 Ramelement 40 Operating element 41 Circumferential portion 42 Cut-out 43Circumferential portion 44 Retaining lug 45 Terminal end 46 Dampingelement 47 Hook end 48 Support 49 Rotary body 50 Coupling roller 51 Axisof rotation 52 Bearing bush 53 Bearing bolt 54 Slot

1. Lock (1) which can be released on an electrically automated basis, inparticular for use with locker-type storage systems with a plurality oflockers with locker doors (2) which have to be opened individually, witha lock element (9) which can be introduced into the lock (1), forexample a lock hook or bolt, which lock element (9) can be blocked inthe lock (1) and thus holds a locker door (2) fixedly connected to thelock element (9) in the locked position, with a lock pawl (14) which canbe displaced in rotation to a limited degree which, on assuming itslocking position, engages with the lock element (9), either directly orindirectly via at least one displaceably mounted coupling element (12),and the forces transmitted from the lock element (9) due to an openingforce on a locker door (2) held locked run directly or optionallyindirectly via the at least one coupling element (12) at a point offorce transmission (33′) to the lock pawl (14) in at least approximatelythe radial direction with respect to the pivot axis (31) and aretransmitted from the pivot axis (31) of the lock pawl (14) to a housing(3) of the lock (1), and with a drive element (16) coupled with the lockpawl (14) in displacement, in particular an electromagnet (17), formoving the lock pawl (14) in a controlled manner out of the lockingposition into a releasing position, wherein the portion of the point offorce transmission (33′) for the locking force transmitted to the lockpawl (14) is designed so that positively induced or abutment-inducedforces and impulses are transmitted from the lock element (9), or from acoupling element (12) which may optionally be mounted in between, to thelock pawl (14) are directed almost exclusively radially with respect toits pivot axis (31) and any tangential force and impulse componentswhich occur can be transmitted almost exclusively by frictional forcesat the point of force transmission (33′).
 2. Lock which can be releasedon an electrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelock (1) has a coupling element (12) which can be displaced in rotationto a limited degree, in particular a latch (13), in which the lockelement (9) positively engages in a first cut-out (42) disposed in thecircumference of the coupling element (12) when the locker door (2) isclosed, which coupling element (12) has an abutment surface (29),likewise on its circumference, by means of which the opening forcestransmitted by the lock element (9) when the lock pawl (14) is in thelocking position are transmitted to the lock pawl (14), thereby blockingthe lock element (9) in the lock (1).
 3. Lock which can be released onan electrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lockpawl (14) has a hook end (47) by means of which it engages directly inthe lock element (9) or locates round the lock element (9) in thelocking position, picks up opening forces which occur, disperses themthrough the pivot axis (31) and thus blocks the lock element (9) in thelock (1).
 4. Lock which can be released on an electrically automatedbasis as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the lock pawl (14) assumes thelocking position, a mutual physical clearance (33) is left free betweenthe lock pawl (14) and the lock element (9) or between the lock pawl(14) and a coupling element (12) which may optionally be provided sothat a passive ability to pivot or an active pivoting movement of thelock pawl (14) in both pivot directions, i.e. in the direction of itsreleasing position and also in the direction of its locking position, isnot restricted or not prevented by the lock element (9) itself or by acoupling element (12) which may be optionally provided.
 5. Lock whichcan be released on an electrically automated basis as claimed in claim1, wherein a restrictor stop (34) which is structurally separate fromthe lock element (9) or disposed separately from the coupling element(12) is provided in order to restrict the ability of the lock pawl (14)to pivot relative to the lock element (9) or relative to the couplingelement (12).
 6. Lock which can be released on an electrically automatedbasis as claimed in claim 5, wherein the restrictor stop (34) definingthe locking position of the lock pawl (14) is elastically flexible. 7.Lock which can be released on an electrically automated basis as claimedin claim 1, wherein the lock pawl (14) is provided in the form of atwo-arm lever (21), the first lever arm (22) of which co-operates withthe coupling element (12) respectively with the lock element (9), andthe second lever arm (23) of which is connected to the preferablyelectrically activatable drive element (16).
 8. Lock which can bereleased on an electrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1,wherein the drive element (16) is provided in the form of anelectromagnet (17) with a linearly displaceable armature (19), which isconnected via a first articulated link (24) to a first end portion of acoupling rod (25), and another end portion of this coupling rod (25) isconnected via another articulated link (26) to the lock pawl (14) sothat a coupled displacement is established between the linearlydisplaceable armature (19) of the electromagnet (17) and the rotatablymounted lock pawl (14).
 9. Lock which can be released on an electricallyautomated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive element (16) isprovided in the form of an electromagnet (17) with a linearlydisplaceable armature (19) which is connected to the lock pawl (14) viaan articulated link (24) of variable length, in particular using acoupling rod (25) with a slot (54), so that when the electromagnet (17)is activated, a coupled displacement is not established between thearmature (19) and the rotatably mounted lock pawl (14) immediately asthe armature (19) starts to move, and is not established until thearmature (19) has travelled a defined minimum distance.
 10. Lock whichcan be released on an electrically automated basis as claimed in claim1, wherein a terminal end (27) of the lock pawl (14) facing the couplingelement (12) has a support surface (28) which sits in abutment with anabutment surface (29) of the coupling element (12) when the lock pawl(14) is in its locking position.
 11. Lock which can be released on anelectrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein a terminalend (27) of the lock pawl (14) facing the coupling element (12) has apartially cylindrical support surface (28) which constitutes linearsupport surfaces extending in the axial direction of this partiallycylindrical surface on a preferably flat abutment surface (29) on thecoupling element (12) when the lock pawl (14) is in its lockingposition.
 12. Lock which can be released on an electrically automatedbasis as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end of the lock pawl (14) facingthe coupling element (12) or lock element (9) or alternatively the lockelement (9) has a rotatably mounted coupling roller (50) which liesagainst the abutment surface (29) of the coupling element (12) or lockelement (9) or alternatively on the lock pawl (14), in particular on itssupport surface (28), when the lock pawl (14) is in its lockingposition, and the coupling roller (50) transmits the locking or blockingforce between the point of force transmission (33′) and the lock pawl(14).
 13. Lock which can be released on an electrically automated basisas claimed in claim 1, wherein an abutment surface (29) for the lockpawl (14) disposed on the lock element (9) or an on the coupling element(12) is oriented at a right angle or at least approximately at a rightangle to the imaginary axis between the point of force transmission(33′) and the pivot axis (31) of the lock pawl (14) when the lock (1)assumes the locking position.
 14. Lock which can be released on anelectrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blockingforce applied by the lock pawl (14) to the lock element (9) respectivelyto the coupling element (12) is absorbed or expended by the pivot axis(31) of a rotary bearing (32) for the lock pawl (14).
 15. Lock which canbe released on an electrically automated basis as claimed in claim 7,wherein the lock pawl (14) sits with its two lever arms (22, 23) trimabout its pivot axis (31).
 16. Lock which can be released on anelectrically automated basis as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lockpawl (14) sits with its lever arms (22, 23) trim, so that the weight ofthe first lever arm (22) corresponds at least approximately to theweight of the second lever arm (23) plus the weight of an armature (19)of an electromagnet (17) attached to it and a coupling rod (25) which ispreferably provided between the armature (19) of the electromagnet (17)and the second lever arm (23).
 17. Lock which can be released on anelectrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lockpawl (14) is constantly forced into the locking position by thespring-biasing action of a spring means (18), which is preferablyprovided in the form of a helical spring (20) for resetting the armature(19) of the electromagnet (17) in its non-operating position.
 18. Lockwhich can be released on an electrically automated basis as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the first lever arm (22) of the lock pawl (14) extendsin a straight line and is subjected to only shearing or tensile force bythe coupling element (12) along its longitudinal axis (30), and thisshearing or tensile force extends through the center of the rotarybearing (32) for the lock pawl (14) when an attempt is made to transferthe lock element (9) into its opening position when the lock pawl (14)is active.
 19. Lock which can be released on an electrically automatedbasis as claimed in claim 5, wherein the restrictor stop (34) ispositioned so that it lies closer, relatively speaking, to a terminalend (27, 45) facing away from the pivot axis (31) of the lock pawl (14)than to the pivot axis (31) of the lock pawl (14) in order to define thelocking position of the lock pawl (14) in terms of position or pivotangle.
 20. Lock which can be released on an electrically automated basisas claimed in claim 7, wherein the restrictor stop (34) is positioned sothat it is spaced apart from the pivot axis (31) by a distance that ismore than 30% of the length of the first or second lever arm (22, 23).21. Lock which can be released on an electrically automated basis asclaimed in claim 5, wherein the restrictor stop (34) is positioned sothat the lock pawl (14) lies against this restrictor stop (34) onassuming its locking position.
 22. Lock which can be activated on anelectrically automated basis as claimed in claim 7, wherein therestrictor stop (34) cooperates with the second lever arm (23) of thelock pawl (14) facing away from the lock element (9) respectively fromthe coupling element (12).
 23. Lock which can be released on anelectrically automated basis as claimed in claim 5, wherein therestrictor stop (34) is designed as a damping element (46) for dampingthe forces transmitted between the lock housing (3), in particular itsplate-type base part (5), and the lock pawl (14).
 24. Lock which can bereleased on an electrically automated basis as claimed in claim 5,wherein the restrictor stop (34) cooperates with the drive element (16)or is disposed in or on the drive element (16).
 25. Lock which can bereleased on an electrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1,wherein a first detection means (35) is provided for detecting whetherthe bolt or the lock element (9) has moved into the lock housing (3) anda second detection means (36) is provided for detecting the position ofthe lock pawl (14), in particular the position of the armature (19) ofthe electromagnet (17).
 26. Lock which can be released on anelectrically automated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the couplingelement (12) is provided in the form of a latch (13) mounted so that itcan pivot to a limited degree, which has a cut-out (42) or indentationin a first circumferential portion (41) for engaging the lock element(9) provided in the form of a bolt or lock hook, and, in anothercircumferential portion (43), preferably lying diametrically opposite,has a retaining lug (44) or indentation serving as the abutment surface(29) for the lock pawl (14) for co-operating with the lock pawl (14).27. Lock which can be released on an electrically automated basis asclaimed in claim 1, wherein its lock housing (3) comprises a plate-typebase part (5) and a cover-type top part, and a mounting plate (10) ofthe lock element (9) attached to a locker door (2) is supported on thelock housing (3) in a load-transmitting arrangement with at least oneblock-type spacing and screw fixing means (11) for the mounting plate(10) connected in between when the locker door (4) is in the closed andlocked state.
 28. Lock which can be released on an electricallyautomated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein a support (48) isprovided in the lock (1) along the insertion path of the lock element(9) on the side facing away from the lock pawl (14) respectively facingaway from a coupling element (12) which may be optionally provided,which prevents the lock element (9) from slipping when acted on byincreased force.
 29. Lock which can be released on an electricallyautomated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotary bearing (32)of the lock pawl (14) has a bearing bush (52) of plastic inserted in thelock pawl (14).
 30. Lock which can be released on an electricallyautomated basis as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the partsconstituting the support surface (28) or the abutment surface (29) ismade from an electrically non-conductive material, in particular fromplastic, or is coated with such a material in the region of the point offorce transmission (33′) or has an insert made from such a material.